Rawlins, William (1770-1802)
Rawlins, William
London; cabinet maker, upholder, appraiser and undertaker (fl. 1770–1802)
The son of Simon Rawlins, a farmer of Bridgcombe, Berkshire, he was apprenticed to Thomas Harris, weaver, on 6 August 1770, and turned over to Samuel Swaine on 25 March 1773. Admitted a freeman of the Upholders’ Company by servitude on 6 May 1778. He apprenticed John Price, 1781–88 [Guildhall Library, Upholders' Company records].
Recorded at 93 Fleet Market in 1778; 91 Street Market in 1779 when he purchased a Sun Insurance policy for £800 of which £670 accounted for utensils, stock and goods [London Metropolitan Archive, Sun MS vol. 278, p. 422].
He had relocated to Moorfields, 1781–86; 11 Broker Row in 1790; as a member of the Upholders’ Company in Old Bethlem, 1792–94; and as Sir William Rawlins, Knight and Sheriff in Old Bethlem in 1802.
Rawlins Cabinet Maker Upholder Appraiser & Undertaker. The Royal Bed & Star No. 12 Broker Row Opposite Bedlam Walk, Moorfields London. Genteel Furniture New & Second hand in great variety, c. 1785-95 [Heal,28.188]. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Successor to Pitt & Chessey at 12 Broker's Row, and formerly James Rodwell.
The original entry from Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840 can be found at British History Online.